W.A.C.E.'s Chamber Leadership Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

Post-pandemic we find that a chamber’s status varies. One chamber might be having their best year ever while a chamber next door is sinking and may never recover. In this episode Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., discusses the dramatic changes The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly have brought to the chamber industry over the last year.

From Relevant to Essential with Casey Steinbacher Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Dave Kilby is joined by special guest Casey Steinbacher, CCE, a national expert on urban innovation strategies and 27 year veteran of the chamber industry. Steinbacher discusses her new book From Relevant to Essential and shares 5 key insights for chambers of commerce after the last year has forced them to re-imagine their operations going forward. Why go back to just being relevant when you can continue to be essential to your community?

Horseshoes vs. Chess with David Adkisson Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by special guest David Adkisson, CCE to discuss his book Horseshoes vs. Chess. Adkisson explains the importance of strategy and sequencing when running a chamber and emphasizes the importance of developing your staff and determining the distinct role of your chamber as well as the unique opportunity for chambers to get things done in today’s challenging political climate.

5 Essential Ingredients of a Successful Chamber Mar 09, 2021

Show notes

Dave Kilby, President of W.A.C.E., discusses the 5 essential ingredients of a successful chamber and how to avoid a recipe for disaster. Hear lessons learned that have been gathered from conversations over the last year with chamber professionals who are both excelling and struggling as we come together as an industry to get to the other side of this pandemic.

The Importance of Playing an Active Role in Advocacy with Rob Engstrom Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Dave Kilby is joined by, long-time friend of the chamber industry, Rob Engstrom as he reflects on his 19 years advocating for and working with chambers at the U.S. Chamber and shares the importance of chambers playing an active role in helping elect business-friendly candidates and as defenders of free enterprise.

Inspiration for 2021 with Chris Romer Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

In this episode Dave Kilby is joined by special guest Chris Romer, ACE, president/CEO of the Vail Valley (CO) Partnership and 2021 W.A.C.E. Board Chair. Romer shares insight into the biggest surprises from 2020 and offers advice on communicating value to members and how chambers are uniquely positioned now more than ever to achieve their missions.

Common Issues with Board Policies Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

Dave Kilby, president of W.A.C.E., discusses board term limits and board elections as well as complications and concerns that arise from having government representatives and/or elected officials on your chamber’s Board.

The Importance of Being Credible, Current & Collaborative with Glenn Morris Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

This episode features 2020 Chair of the W.A.C.E. Board Glenn Morris, ACE, President/CEO of the Santa Maria Valley (CA) Chamber, who discusses the importance of chambers being credible, current and collaborative. He also offers some career advice for new Chamber CEOs and touches on the skills that are needed to succeed in the chamber business.

Wild & Crazy Times Call for VUCA Leadership Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

In a time where our everyday vernacular includes an abundant and every growing amount of acronyms W.A.C.E. President, Dave Kilby, offers a couple more to add to your lexicon. VUCA is an acronym that has resurfaced from the cold war era to describe the current times. It stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Chambers must face the current whitewater conditions daily to plan, problem solve and make decisions. To help us do this Dave offers an alternative VUCA describing important leadership attributes.

Now more than ever is the time to focus, consider new pathways and practice VUCA leadership.

Chambers and the "Sane Center" Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

In 2020 we have found our country to be more divided and polarized than ever before. As this year comes to a close W.A.C.E. President Dave Kilby reflects on words of wisdom regarding compromise from the late Arizona Senator John McCain and looks optimistically towards the future.

Chambers of Commerce that embrace their role as problem solvers and excel at being in the solutions business are primed and ready to help our communities find the “Sane Center”. With our consensus building experience, position as a trusted resource, and role as a Convener we can do our part to make the “Sane Center” a reality.